When most people think about going on vacation, they envision time spent with family, as a couple, or among friends in fun-filled, exotic locations, and while people jet setting in pairs or groups is certainly the most common vacation experience most people have, the trend toward solo travel is steadily gaining steam for a number of reasons.

Imagine going to sleep and awaking whenever you wanted to, eating at the restaurant you desired every meal, and sightseeing according to your own interests — traveling alone offers the individual willing to try it a chance to experience a new place at her own pace and according to her own desires. Many people claim solo travel is the epitome of rest and relaxation. Others love the feeling of not being hampered by others’ whims and tastes. Whatever the reason, if you’re considering embarking on a solo trip in the upcoming future, make sure staying in Niagara Falls is at the top of your list. From Canadian amiability and hospitality to sights and events that are great regardless of whether or not you’re alone, Niagara Falls is a great destination for the solo traveler.

The Benefits of Soloing in Niagara

The primary benefit to traveling alone — especially in Niagara Falls — is that you’ll have to interact with strangers. Most people traveling on business or vacation interact with strangers routinely, because the people who staff the hotel in which they’re staying, the bakery they frequent in the mornings, the vineyards they tour, and the restaurants in which they dine are people they don’t know.

When you’re traveling alone, however, all your interaction will be with strangers, and while that may be off-putting to the more introverted among us, engaging a stranger actually has remarkable benefits — as every seasoned solo traveler knows. Because human beings are social creatures, we all need plenty of interaction with our own kind in order to feel safe, connected, and satisfied on a day-to-day basis, and, according to researchers at the University of British Columbia, when we engage a stranger in kindness, our mood is lifted and our feelings of benevolence toward our loved ones and others is increased. Niagara Falls makes interacting with strangers a breeze, because it routinely hosts so many out-of-towners looking to make friends with those around them, and because its inhabitants understand the role that tourists play in the health of the region’s economy. The city of Niagara Falls really is one of the easiest places to be alone, because you’ll be surrounded by people who are genuinely glad to make your acquaintance throughout your visit.

Niagara Falls is also great for solo travelers, because there is so much for a person to do alone. The stunning majesty of the Falls ensures that any expedition undertaken in and around the water will more than occupy you, and the wineries’ tasting rooms are filled with oenophiles just dying to talk about the grapes, the vintage, the mouth feel. The place has more than enough to fill your senses, your time, and your imagination. Who needs a group of friends when you’ve got Nature’s power and a storehouse of entertainment all around you? Great solo options include:

If anything can be said of the Irish, it is that they are deeply connected to their heritage. It doesn’t matter if they still reside on the Emerald Isles or have emigrated for greener pastures; the Irish are loud and proud of their cultural traditions.

On no day is this more obvious than March 17: St. Patrick’s Day. Ostensibly commemorating the man who freed Ireland of the serpents’ wrath, St. Patrick’s Day is a holiday for wearing green, drinking Guinness responsibly, and enjoying the company of your favorite Irish friends — which you can do with even more fervor while on a vacation in Niagara Falls.

Learn About Irish-Canadians

The Irish have been flocking to Canadian shores since the middle of the 19th century, perhaps due to the close ties the U.K. still has with its one-time colony. During the period between 1825 and 1970, so many Irish relocated to Canada that they became the second largest immigrant group in the country — outnumbered only by the French — totaling about a quarter of the entire Canadian population.

Ontario has always been particularly popular among Irish immigrants due to the wealth of jobs available in the wealthy agricultural and industrial province. Most scholars note that the experience of Irish immigrants in Canada was vastly different from those in America: The plentiful availability of land as well as the lack of social barriers restricting social mobility allowed the Irish to integrate well into Canadian society.

Today, what the U.S. popularly calls St. Patrick’s Day is labeled Irish Heritage Day in Ontario, as the Canadian people feel indebted to their Irish population for making the province into the functioning, peaceful place it is today.

Celebrate in Niagara Falls

Though Niagara Falls can’t offer the density or rowdiness of Irish populations in, for example, Boston, Massachusetts, the city still offers some of Canada’s best St. Patrick’s Day festivities. From singing shanties in an Irish pub to seeing green all night long, you should be able to enjoy the most perfectly Irish of days in Niagara Falls.

See the Falls at night. Niagara Falls is just as beautiful at night as it is during the day — but for different reasons. The city delights in illuminating the Falls in various hues for visitors’ endless enjoyment, and they always match the Falls’ colors with special holidays. On the night of March 17, you’ll be able to see the waterfalls proudly lit in bright, Irish green.

Enjoy the parade. New York City and other metropolises with plenty of Irish go all-out for their St. Patrick’s Day parades, but Niagara Falls notoriously takes a different tack by celebrating with the world’s shortest parade. The tradition began in the 1970s, and every year the parade has become just a few steps shorter. While viewing the event won’t take much time out of your day, you can extend the festivity by enjoying the beer and food available afterwards.

Spring in Niagara Falls is a beautiful time of year, when the winter snows melt and the landscape turns bright green with new life. While March doesn’t yet boast the multi-hued buds in Niagara’s luscious gardens, this month is still one of the most enjoyable times of year to visit the region.

After the freezing temperatures of winter but before the tourist season of summer, March presents the perfect opportunity to comfortably see the sights without the pressure of millions of fellow travelers. Here are our favorite March activities to keep you and yours busy on your Niagara vacation.

1. Christienne Fallsview Spa

Most people go on vacation to catch up on rest and relaxation, and there is no better way to melt stress away than at Niagara Falls’ Christienne Fallsview Spa. With dozens of treatments designed to refresh and rejuvenate the mind and body, this spa will have you feeling ready and raring for new life challenges as soon as you step out the door. Our favorite service is the hydrotherapy infinity tub, which faces enormous windows overlooking Horseshoe Falls; the sight and sound of that rushing water soothes our tense muscles like magic.

2. Greg Frewin Theatre

Speaking of magic, there is no better complement to the mystery of Niagara Falls than a terrific magic show, and there is no better magic show than one performed by Greg Frewin, World Champion of Magic. At his phenomenal Greg Frewin Theatre, the illustrious illusionist accomplishes amazing feats, making people and objects disappear in the blink of an eye. Kids and adults alike enjoy the playful banter of Frewin and his associates, and you shouldn’t be surprised if you spend the rest of your trip wondering “How does he do it?”

3. Bird Kingdom

Believe it or not, just five minutes from Canada’s gorgeous natural wonder Niagara Falls lies a lush tropical landscape filled with exotic animals, from brightly plumed birds to ornately patterned reptiles — and more. The Bird Kingdom brings the warmth and color of the tropical rainforest to Niagara Falls, welcoming visitors to see and hold hundreds of bizarre creatures from distant lands. The zoo contains the world’s largest indoor free-flying aviary, allowing birds of many stripes to enjoy spreading their wings while visitors walk below; plus, guests can venture into the Night Jungle, where nocturnal beasts like bats and owls go on the prowl. Even as you step into the cool air of March in Niagara Falls, you’ll still have memories of your short vacation in the tropics.

4. Oh Canada Eh? Dinner Show

It’s a rollicking performance of Canadian national pride — no, it’s a filling, delicious meal of Canada’s most iconic foods — no, it’s both! The “Oh Canada Eh? Dinner Show” offers visitors a one-of-a-kind, immersive experience, demonstrating fully what it is to be Canadian through presentations of familiar Canadian characters, like the Mountie and the hockey player; sing-alongs of traditional Canadian folk songs, like “Something to Sing About” and “Oh, Canada;” and delicious Canadian foods, like fried Atlantic Haddock, French-Canadian pea soup, and maple chocolate cake. Winning several awards over its 20 years on stage for its outstanding songs, dancing, and acting, the “Oh Canada Eh? Dinner Show” will have you laughing through all five courses, plus dessert.

Everyone knows about the magnificent waterfalls that give the Niagara region its name and fame. However, not many people know about the large, natural islands that emerge around the swirling, thundering waters of the Niagara River. On your next stay in Niagara Falls, consider exploring either of the following beautiful islands to learn a little more and Niagara history and ecology.

Goat Island

The largest, and most memorable, island in the Niagara River is inarguably Goat Island, which works to separate the large, Canadian Horseshoe Falls from the smaller American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls.

In the late 18th century, the Seneca, an American Indian group, signed a large portion of land in the Niagara region to the British in reparations for their historical attacks on British traders. One of the victimized traders, John Stedman, claimed an island as his rightful property from the treaty, and he used the land to raise goats. Though the goats died in a particularly harsh winter not long after Stedman assumed the land, the name of the island stuck: Goat Island. Even after New York gained control of the island — and attempted to rename it Iris Island after the Greek goddess of rainbows — locals refused to call it anything but Goat Island.

As Niagara Falls became more popular among tourists, many entrepreneurs imagined Goat Island as an extension of the bustling tourist district. Vanderbilt, the railroad titan, imagined the island as a smaller, more elite attractions space, filled with hotels, shopping, and restaurants. Conversely, P.T. Barnum of circus fame fought heavily to make Goat Island one of the country’s largest circus grounds. Today, Goat Island is legally owned by the State of New York, and it is registered as a part of the Niagara State Parks system. Because the island is open to visitors but bereft of inhabitants, the flora and fauna indigenous to the region have flourished.

Situated between the two groups of Falls, Goat Island offers some unique views of the region; you absolutely cannot miss Terrapin Point, which offers a grand look at the Niagara landscape of New York. You can reach Goat Island via a variety of routes: a foot path, road, and trackless train all cross the thundering Niagara River to deliver visitors to the beautiful island.

Luna Island

A smaller spot of land to the north of Goat Island, Luna Island separates American Falls from Bridal Veil Falls. While this location is often overshadowed the grandeur of its larger neighbor, Luna Island has plenty to offer intrepid travelers looking for exceptional views.

Initially called Prospect Island due to the land’s superior views over much of the Niagara region, the island soon became famous for the inimitable moonscapes visible from its lookouts. On bright moonlit nights, many a face turned skyward on Luna Island could see magnificent lunar rainbows through the Falls’ mists. Today, the magnificent fireworks shows and the nightly illumination of the waterfalls and surrounding landscape make moon bows a rare sight — but dedicated visitors may still perceive a dash of color in the night sky.

Tourists can reach Luna Island by traveling to and through Goat Island. Though Luna Island isn’t large enough to warrant a vehicle path, pedestrians may cross a walking bridge to see Niagara from this picturesque space.

Niagara Falls is a wondrous place due to the astounding power and beauty of its three waterfalls. However, not many visitors understand just how one-of-a-kind the Falls are and how much the northeast relies on them for survival. To inform your next trip to Niagara Falls, here are 7 fantastic facts about our natural wonder.

1. Niagara Falls Has the Highest Flow Rate of Any Waterfall

Though in reality Niagara Falls is comprised of three separate waterfalls, Horseshoe Falls in Canada and American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls in the U.S., all three Falls’ combined boast a flow rate of more than six million cubic feet per minute, which is more than any other waterfall on Earth. However, Horseshoe Falls alone is the most powerful and tallest waterfall in North America.

2. An Island Separates the American and Canadian Falls

Though the place is called Goat Island, the small tract of land between the American and Canadian Falls doesn’t actually contain any goats. At one time, before Goat Island was added to New York’s Niagara State Park, entrepreneurs argued over what the land could be used for; P. T. Barnum heavily campaigned for the island to be used as a permanent circus grounds.

3. Niagara Falls Has Moved Since It Formed

More than 12,000 years ago, when water first started careening off the Niagara Escarpment, the Falls were situated seven miles downriver, in what is present-day Lewiston, New York and Queenstown, Ontario. Due to efforts to conserve the Falls, they are now eroding slower, with Horseshoe Falls losing less than 12 inches every year and the American Falls down to three to four inches every 10 years.

4. Niagara Falls Is Fed by the Great Lakes

Streams and rivers throughout the countryside empty their water into Lake Superior. From there, the fresh water travels through Lake Huron and Lake Eerie, which channel into the Niagara River. After speeding over the Niagara Escarpment in the Falls, water travels to Lake Ontario, and finally out to the Atlantic Ocean through the St. Lawrence River.

5. A Treaty Specifies How Much Water Can Be Diverted

In an attempt to balance residential water and energy needs and preservation of the waterfalls’ natural beauty, Canada and the U.S. struck up the 1950 Niagara Treaty, which states that during daylight hours between April 1 and October 31 (high tourist season), the Falls’ flow rate should never fall below 100,000 cubic feet per second.

6. More Than 30 Million People Visit Niagara Falls Every Year

The revenue gained by local businesses from so many tourists allows the Canadian province of Ontario and the American state of New York to fund public works projects, like infrastructure maintenance and better schools.

7. The First Person to Survive Going Over the Falls Did in 1901

A 63-year-old school teacher named Annie Edison Taylor decided to attempt the trip in a wooden barrel padded by a thin mattress. Though she hoped to gain fame and fortune with the feat, Taylor never did garner much wealth, and is often quoted as saying “I would sooner walk up to the mouth of a cannon, knowing it was going to blow me to pieces than make another trip over the Falls.” Still, others have unfortunately attempted the trick throughout the intervening century in varying levels of success and failure.

A brand new dining and hotel experience has launched in Niagara Falls, Ontario with Falls Avenue Resort’s Niagaraliciousculinary series. This unique dining opportunity allows guests to choose between special dinner menus at the Rainbow Room by Massimo Capra, Windows by Jamie Kennedy, Fallsview Buffet Restaurant, and Hard Rock Café Niagara Falls, and pair their culinary experience with accommodations at the first-rate Sheraton on the Falls or Crowne Plaza Niagara Falls-Fallsview. This limited time series showcases remarkable local cuisine and gives guests an unparalleled Niagara Falls experience.

Niagara Falls is an exceedingly romantic destination, which is why countless newlyweds have chosen the region as a honeymoon spot for centuries. Still, the passion of the place isn’t restricted to married lovers; couples of all shapes and sizes continue to flock to the region to experience the region’s romance throughout the year.

The power of the rushing waterfalls, the mystery of the dense mists, and the verdant beauty of the surrounding landscape combine to create an awe-inspiring atmosphere that brings people closer together. Yet, February is an especially magical time, when the already adoring feelings of Valentine’s season work with Niagara’s inherent thrill to inspire love and lust in visiting partners.

If you and your partner can’t make it to Niagara Falls for February 14, you can still capitalize on the region’s romance for your Valentine’s celebration by giving the gift of a future trip to Niagara. Here are the top attractions in and around Niagara Falls that can be presented to your sweetheart on February 14 to be redeemed at a later date.

Spa Date

There are precious few activities in the world more relaxing than a day of pampering at the spa. Presenting your honey with such a precious and meaningful gift will demonstrate your devotion to making him or her look and feel the absolute best. Plus, some spa treatments have been shown to dramatically improve a person’s health; for example. Massages improve overall blood circulation while exfoliating treatments encourage cell growth for stronger and more youthful skin.

Niagara’s Christienne Fallsview Spa is highly rated as one of the most relaxing and rejuvenating places anywhere due to its high-quality treatments and services as well as its magnificent views. You can reserve particular treatments for your significant other, or you can purchase gift certificates so he or she can arrange his or her preferred services.

Tickets to a Show

A night at the theater is unquestionably romantic. Even while surrounded by hundreds of strangers, when the lights dim and the stage comes to life, it feels as though the show is just for you and your love.

Just minutes from Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake offers some of the best live theater in the country. Long ago, the town made a commitment to supporting the artistry of plays and initiated the Shaw Festival, which highlights the importance of theater with excellent productions for the latter part of the year. The 2015 season doesn’t start until April, but on February 14, you can surprise your sweetheart with tickets to any of the upcoming wonderful shows, including “Peter and the Starcatcher” or “Pygmalion.”

Winery Tour

Wine has inspired countless romances, which is why it is the beverage of choice for passionate affairs. Whether the varietal of choice is pinot noir, chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, or icewine, after it is opened, the surrounding atmosphere is sure to become one of love.

After you open your bottle for your Valentine’s meal, you can present your partner with a planned trip through Niagara’s celebrated wine country. The region is becoming so prolific in the wine world that varietals grown in Niagara are competing head-to-head with prominent Old World vintages. A trip through Niagara’s vineyards is certain to instill passion no matter the time of year, which makes it a perfect Valentine’s gift.

Let me give you a glimpse into our wonderful love story and how Christienne Fallsview Spa has played such an intimate role.

I was a widow looking for a soul mate to share the second half of my life with. My now husband was divorced and also looking for a companion…not thinking of marriage, but was blindsided by love.

We both turned to eHarmoney and that is where the conversation started. Our first date we met part way from his home in Ohio and my home in SW Ontario at the Sheraton on the Falls in Niagara Falls. We planned to spend the day…lunch and dinner and an afternoon of conversation to get to know one another.

On the way to lunch in the elevator we saw an ad for Christienne Spa…and we both thought a couple’s massage would be fun.

We went and checked and sure enough they had time for us. It was breathtaking in the Spa and as we stood and looked at the amazing view of the falls…we shared our first kiss…magical!

Fast forward …many rendezvous at Sheraton on the Falls …and to our engagement. We both felt that this is where we wanted to share our vows and commit to each other in marriage. We brought our kids together for an engagement diner and while our girls…both 17 were getting massages in the Christienne Spa my fiancé shared with my boys how he had fallen in love with their mom and what I meant to him…asking them to accept him as a husband to their mom and eventually a friend for them…right there in the same spot we shared our first kiss…very meaningful for everyone.

Our wedding day was Oct 4th. We planned to get married outside in the gazebo beside the pool overlooking the spectacular falls. This was not meant to be. It was very cold, windy and rained on and off all day. Plans changed and we went to Plan B…inside in a room with no windows, just our friends and family to share in our vows. We had a sign at the front of the room that said “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass but learning to dance in the rain.” Our ceremony and our vows were the focus…not the view and our moment was beautiful!

The manager of Christienne Spa, Diana, who is always amazing to work, as well as all her girls, invited us to take pictures in the spa on our wedding day. We had planned this for 5:30 when our guests were at the Cocktail reception downstairs. As our photographer started to shoot the pictures we saw the clouds part and for 15 minutes the most spectacular double rainbow appeared! There we were, on our wedding day in the same spot we shared our first kiss and a double rainbow…breathtaking and magical…a God moment for us!

Thank you to all the staff at Christienne Spa for being part of our wonderful love story. Remember, you don’t get the rainbow without the rain…life can be amazing in Plan B!!

While February is primarily recognized as Valentine’s season, the month is also devoted to celebrations of black history. Black History Month is a time for people of all ethnic backgrounds to remember and celebrate African-American history. Though society continues to struggle with race relations in a variety of ways, every February, we can devote time to recalling the successes and losses of the past in order to build a better future.

Though many don’t realize it, Niagara Falls was an important city for African-Americans throughout history. This Black History Month, come to Niagara Falls to learn about the personal and societal struggles of black people who found themselves in this amazing and beautiful region of Canada.

The Underground Railroad

By 1800 the northern states — comprised of everything from Pennsylvania to Maine — were working to abolish slavery, but most of the rest of the country, continued the practice until the Civil War. Worse, the so-called free states tolerated the injustice to encourage the low price of necessary crops raised and harvested through slave labor. Plus, even slaves who earned freedom continued to be persecuted throughout the country, and some were even forced back into slavery by loopholes in the law.

It should come as no surprise, then, that both free and enslaved African-Americans sought independence from slavery in America. Canada, which was then still under British rule, abolished slavery back in 1834, but had been working on legislation since the late 1700s that would grant freedom to slaves. Thus, through a network of secret trails and safe houses called the Underground Railroad, thousands of slaves journeyed northward for the possibility of freedom. During the 20 years the Railroad was in operation, it is estimated that 30,000 souls made the trek, and many of these were channeled directly through Niagara Falls.

Sites in Niagara Falls

Though slavery itself was short-lived in Niagara Falls, the city’s vital role in providing freedom to American slaves has secured its place in black history. Niagara Falls and the surrounding region celebrate this heritage in a variety of sites dedicated to preserving history and educating visitors.

Castellani Art Museum at Niagara University. This gallery is well-known by locals for showing some of the most moving collections, and it continues to impress with its exhibit entitled “Freedom Crossing: The Underground Railroad in Greater Niagara.” This collection contains photos, documents, and other artifacts from the period that tell personal stories of runaway slaves, and visitors can also learn more through paintings and videos throughout the gallery.

St. Catharines Museum at Lock 3. A small town on the edge of Lake Ontario — just a short drive south of Niagara Falls — St. Catharines was one of the first Canadian stops for traveling slaves. However, well before the Underground Railroad, some of the town’s first settlers were African-Americans who fought in the American War for Independence. Proud of its black history, St. Catharines Museum is largely devoted to educating about the prominence of its black community in the past, present, and future.

Niagara Falls History Museum. Niagara Falls’ largest museum also pays tribute to the region’s important past with a standing exhibit devoted to early black history. Alongside extensive looks at the geologic development of the Falls and the prominence of hydro-electricity, visitors can engage with stories of slaves risking life and limb in pursuit of liberty.

Wine is an exceptional beverage. Research shows that drinking a glass of red wine every day holds myriad benefits, from potentially lowering your cholesterol to keeping your memory sharp, due to the resveratrol leeched from the healthful grapes. Still, it is the romance of wine — not the science — that attracts most drinkers. Wine has a long history of uniting people and igniting passions, which is why it is always the drink of choice on Valentine’s Day.

This year, if you want your February 14 to dazzle your darling, bring your significant other to Niagara’s wine country. With more than 400 acres of land devoted to growing the world’s most perfect grapes, Niagara can offer wine-tasting experiences like nowhere else in the world. Familiar varietals chardonnay and merlot join creations unique to the region, like icewine, so visitors have the opportunity to drink a wide variety. Plus, exceptional chefs flock to the Niagara area for its fresh and plentiful produce, so your wine will be able to pair perfectly with an extraordinary meal.

While the dreamy scenery can be enough to lull any lover into a close embrace, the right wine at the right time will create an ambiance of pure passion. Here’s what to serve your lover during your Valentine’s trip to Niagara Falls to ensure a February 14 you’ll remember for a lifetime.

1. Pinot Noir

Inspiring passion in wine enthusiasts across all borders, the pinot noir grape inarguably creates the most romantic wine of all. This type of wine is marked by its especially rich fruity scents and flavors, including red berries and black cherries, as well as the earthy notes of mushroom and forest floor.

However, the pinot noir grape is especially difficult to grow, and not all wine-growing regions are able to produce high-quality crops to turn into wine. Fortunately, Niagara’s verdant valleys are a haven for most varietals of wine, and Niagara winemakers seem to have no trouble creating excellent pinot noirs. Recently, 2027 Cellars began to shine as a top producer of fruity, aromatic pinot noirs, but Tawse and Redstone wineries both have a long history of producing complex, layered wines of this varietal.

2. Chardonnay

The popularity of this white wine shouldn’t discount its ability to incite romance. The prominent oaky flavor is developed by variable undertones of lemon, vanilla, grass, or others. In addition, the velvety mouthfeel of the wine generates a luxurious sensation in the drinker.

One of the biggest benefits of chardonnay is its versatility in food pairing; thus, interested tasters may do well to find a vineyard that offers a restaurant for on-site pairings. Still, the highest-rated locations for chardonnay are Malivoire Wine and Hidden Bench Vineyards.

3. Cabernet Sauvignon

Affectionately referred to as “cab sav” by avid drinkers, cabernet sauvignon is a full-bodied red wine highlighted by its flavor profile full of dark fruits. Most winemakers include the scent and taste of black current, cherry, or blackberry; however, to round out the experience, many cabernet sauvignons also include notes of black pepper, tobacco, or licorice.

The full body and maturity of cabernet sauvignon wines will enhance the fondness and commitment between two lovers on Valentine’s Day. Rockway Vineyards is creating fascinating red blends using its best cabernet sauvignon grapes; meanwhile, Two Sisters Vineyards has developed a cab sav icewine that is being hailed as purely decadent.